The Blue Note debut of Meshell Ndegeocello may include artists such as Jason Moran, Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Ross, Jeff Parker, Brandee Younger, Cory Henry, Mark Guiliana, Julius Rodriguez, Joan As Police and Thandiswa, but the 18 songs are essentially quick musical pastiches covering many styles of music, but never convincing on any of them.
There’s a Take Six-ish vocal percussion with The HawtPlates on “Hole In The Bucket” one minute, and then a mix of poetry and funk on “Clear Water”, with lyrics being rapped out like “to be in the now” running in your ears. English moods with nylon strings are strummed for “Call The Tune” while synth sounds reminiscent of Brian Eno gurgle out the beat on”Omnipuss”. A church organ mixes with effects for “Good Good” and Brandee Younger joins in the chant of “Virgo 3”. A Whitman’s Sampler of songs.